<p>I was recently in a hit and run accident with a driver, who hit me once, then again, then speed off ( I think he was drugged or high). Anyways, I was so upset that I chased his car down the block for 20 minuetes before he ended up stopping at a red light (they have cameras) and I copied down his license plate number. He put two cereal bowl dents into my car, its actually very unsightly but not that bad.</p>
<p>I called my insurance company, who was able to track down the people that speed off via the license plate number that I got. I have Triple A.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I am in a financial bind. I am really strapped for cash. A friend said that I could possibly take my car into a car repair shop (Toyota repair/dealership) to the cost to repair the damage estimated and then have the insurance company write my a check such that I could get it fixed myself. Of course, then instead of using that money to fix my car I would then use it to pay my personal stuff. So, I am leaving the two dents on my car unrepaired.</p>
<p>However, the insurance company has been really adamant about having me take my car into the shop and them paying the shop directly. Then, the insurance company would send one of their appraisal people to see the car and do post-inspection after the car is repaired but not before it leaves the shop.</p>
<p>Legally, arent I entitled to just having a check made out to me? After all, they did crash into my car! </p>
<p>Also, when I get my car appraised at the car repair shop, how do I make it seem as though I do intend to get my car fixed there? </p>
<p>Its so sketchy how the tyotoa repair shop on the phone wont let me just get an estimate of the damage, they wanted my business and my instance companys info. I just want them to do an appraisal and keep it at that. I mean, they are getting money to appraise the damage, even if Im going to keep the check form the insurance company.</p>
<p>I do not know the legalities, but it is a bit sketchy to take the money and pocket it without making the repair, isn’t it? The insurance company is not there to fix your bills, they are there to return your car to it’s pre-hit condition.</p>
<p>I have certainly heard of people over the years pocketing the money and not making the repair, but maybe insurers are cracking down on that?</p>
<p>I had an old car without collision or comprehensive and was rear-ended by someone. I called her insurance and took the car to their adjudicator’s office, and he cut a check payable to me right there. I think he was perhaps anxious that I wouldn’t suddenly develop a neck or back pain and escalate the multi hundred dollar bill to the thousands. Perhaps you should talk to his insurance company.</p>
<p>My mom had triple A ins- and I think what she did- when her car was " totaled"- ( it actually wasn’t totaled- but the ins company said it wasn’t worth fixing- it was an ancient Volvo- which still ran fine), she took the money that they paid her to replace her car- but only needed half of it to get the car in good shape ( didn’t get all the cosmetic stuff fixed), however, this meant she had to get a new VIN #- etc.</p>
<p>I don’t think that getting a couple dents counts, cause if you aren’t gonna get it fixed- you don’t need the money.
I would just get it fixed, cause the dents will hurt the resale value.</p>
<p>mommusic it does not sound the the insurance will not pay, it is that the insurance company is saying they will pay the shop directly and not cut the OP a check. That is perfectly within the insurance company’s right to do that, they do not have to cut you the check for car repairs they can just pay the shop directly.</p>
<p>BTW, what the OP is talking about doing is insurance fraud.</p>
<p>Both of our daughters’ cars were hit with hail (at different times) and each had over $2,000 in damage. Each time we got estimates and turned them over to our insurance company. Again, each time they called when the check was ready and I went to pick it up. They said I could either get the car fixed or keep the money. The insurance check would be about the amount the value of the car would decline if we chose not to fix the hail dents. Maybe this is just something companies do with hail damage and not collisions.</p>
<p>I am a little confused - are you dealing with your insurance company or the company of the driver who hit you? I have always found it much easier to deal with my own company, however I live in a small town and the agent is right here.</p>
<p>That’s not fraud. Fraud would be claiming money for damage that never occurred.</p>
<p>When my S’s car was totaled (in our names), we had to sign the title over to the insurance company. It really wasn’t fixable.</p>
<p>The reimbursement policy may also depend on whether the car is paid for or not. If it is entirely paid for, it would be easier to give you the money and not worry about what is done with it. If there is a lien on the car due to a loan, then there is an obligation to return the car to its original state because that is what is securing the loan.</p>
<p>Some insurance companies have negotiated deals with repair shops. I once got estimates both with and without insurance; the insurance estimate was less than half the non-ins estimate.</p>
<p>They probably use direct pay to minimize payouts.</p>
<p>It’s not fraud. The OP is entitled to compensation for the damage to his car, but it’s up to him to do as he pleases with that compensation. If he feels that the proper compensation for his injury is to go to a fabulous dinner on the perp, that’s his right. As long as the damage was done, the perpetrator is who he said it was, it’s not fraud.</p>
<p>EK, I knew that poster’s name sounded familiar! First she wanted the check paid up front to her to cover her medical expenses and now it’s to cover the car damage? Come on…</p>